Federal Reserve Leaves Interest Rates Unchanged for 2nd Straight Meeting

‘Uncertainty around the economic outlook has increased,’ the Fed said in a post-meeting statement.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell delivers remarks at a news conference following a Federal Open Market Committee meeting at the Federal Reserve in Washington on March 19, 2025. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged for the second straight meeting, keeping the benchmark policy rate between 4.25 percent and 4.5 percent in March.

Investors widely expected that the U.S. central bank would keep its easing cycle on hold. Monetary authorities have indicated that interest rates will likely remain higher for longer, as they assess inflation progress and wait for further clarity surrounding the new administration’s policy changes.